Unfortunately, just one day after fledging, E3 was injured while resting on a greenhouse roof. An automated greenhouse vent closed, pinning E3. BOGs (birders on the ground) and chat moderators swung into action immediately to notify greenhouse staff. Meanwhile, the vent automatically opened and the staff soon disabled it to prevent it from closing again. Because E3 was unable to fly, Victoria Campbell, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and Cornell Lab staffer, took E3 to Cornell University’s Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Health Center. Veterinarians there performed surgery on June 18 to repair E3’s broken wing.

Surgery went well but we will have to wait and see if and how the bone heals and if the flight muscles are fully functional. Meanwhile, E3 is eating and doing well. We’ll continue to post updates to the Bird Cams Facebook page as we learn more. A special thanks to the veterinarians and staff at the Wildlife Health Center for the excellent medical care, and to the cams community for your support.